Question: There’s a homeless guy in our neighborhood who stores all his stuff on the sidewalk along the park fence. … Now what?
Answer: If it’s a public sidewalk, call 768-3585. This hotline is the best way to report a violation of either the city’s Stored Property Ordinance or Sidewalk Nuisance Ordinance, said Andrew Pereira, a spokesman for Mayor Kirk Caldwell.
Both laws are intended to keep public spaces clear and accessible for all to use. Depending on the type of stuff blocking the public sidewalk, city crews should be able to either discard or impound and store the material.
Under a limited pact with the American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii, which is suing the city over its enforcement of the SPO/SNO laws, the city agreed not to immediately dispose of certain personal property, including tents, bicycles, clothing and household goods, and the ACLU agreed that the city can immediately dispose of, among other things, combustible or hazardous items, items containing urine or feces, anything infested with rodents or insects, and items “that cannot reasonably be construed as anything other than trash.”
The city also agreed to provide more notice to people who leave personal belongings on city property before it impounds and stores such property and to simplify the retrieval of stored property. The notice and instructions will be translated into various languages.
A news release from the Mayor’s Office described the agreement with the ACLU as a “practical and workable compromise” that addresses a significant part of the lawsuit. Other elements remain unsettled as the lawsuit moves forward.
You can read the agreement and list of items of which the city may immediately dispose at 808ne.ws/1JD5KtS Opens in a new tab and 808ne.ws/1TmtSCT Opens in a new tab, respectively.
You might also wish to seek help for the man living near the park. To dispatch an outreach worker from the Institute for Human Services, one of Oahu’s main social services providers, call 447-2800 or email HELP@IHS-Hawaii.org. An email likely will reach an outreach team member more quickly, according to an IHS spokesman. Include a description of the man and his usual location in your request.
Q: After a new bathroom was vandalized at Ala Moana park, I heard the city was looking for more park volunteers, but I didn’t catch the details. How do you sign up, and what do the volunteers do, exactly?
A: They don’t specifically provide park security, if that’s what you are wondering. Volunteers mainly help spruce up Oahu’s well-used public park system, and by their regular presence inspire neighborhood pride and commitment that it is hoped will deter vandalism, graffiti and other crimes.
The Department of Parks and Recreation’s call for public vigilance after the damage at Ala Moana Regional Park centered on urging people to call 911 and summon the police immediately if they believe any park facility is being vandalized. At Ala Moana a toilet was destroyed less than a week after the comfort station reopened following an extensive refurbishing; city crews quickly repaired the damage.
More than 280 groups and organizations participate in the city’s Adopt a Park program by picking up litter; raking leaves; painting picnic tables, benches and playground equipment; removing graffiti; and completing other tasks to supplement city maintenance crews, according to the program brochure.
Volunteers include business, community and church groups; students completing school community-service requirements; and individuals dedicated to their neighborhood parks. Volunteers may prioritize projects by type, region and time commitment. For more information call the Department of Parks and Recreation at 768-3034 or download the program brochure at 808ne.ws/ 20pGR8M Opens in a new tab.
Mahalo
Mahalo nui loa to the nice lady who found my cellphone in a Don Quijote Waipahu cart Monday and phoned my friend looking for me; we met by chance in the store as I frantically searched for the phone. She graciously was looking to give it back to me. Also, thanks to the many store employees who responded kindly to my question, “Have you found a cellphone?” — Anita Manning, Waipahu
Write to “Kokua Line” at Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu 96813; call 529-4773; fax 529-4750; or email kokualine@staradvertiser.com.
